Interchangeable tank lock



Dec. 12, 1933. A M. MALLUK 1,938,918

I NTERCHANGEABLE TANK LOCK Filed Feb. 21, 1930 4 sheets-sheet l Dec. 12, 1933. `A, M. 'MALLUK 1,938,918

I NTERCHANGEABLE TANK LOCK Filed Feb. 2l., 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.8.

Dec.` 12, 1933.

A. M. MALLUK 1,938,918

I NTERCHANGEABLE TANK LOCK Filed Feb. 2l, 1930 FIGJ 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. 12, 1933.r A. M. MALLUK 5 INTERCHANGEABLE TANK Locx Filed Feb. 2l, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 patented Dec. 12, 1933 PiirrriTv OFFICE INTERCHANGEABLE TANK LOCK Assad M. Mauuk, New

York, N. Y., assignor to Standard Lock and Measure Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York VApplication February 21,

3 Claims.

This invention is an improvement on the device disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 304,224, filed September 6, 1928, entitled Combined closure and `gauge rod for oil tanks.

Objects ofthe invention are to insure a greater degree of protection to the user, to provide interchangeable locks, improved arrangements.: for filling, and safety from fire, etc.

Further and other objects and advantages will l be apparent from the specification and claims,

and from the drawings which illustrate what is now considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention.

' Fig. l is a view of an oil tank, partly in section, with floating gauge rod, and with fillingv cap in place. i

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-section on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1, showing key-type lock plate and slot for T-type rod, f

Fig. 3 is a cross-section` of Fig. 2, T-rod in position. y

showing Fig. 4 is a cross section on the une 4-4 of` Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a T-'typ'e rod with lifting ring.

Fig. 6 is a cross-section onthe line- 6-6-of Fig. 'I is a plan view of a lock-plate with combination lock and with round measuring rod.

Fig. 8 is a cross-section through Fig. '7, show# ing safety shutter..

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the shutter,` on the line 9-'-'9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a Vplan view of Fig.'11, showing a lock plate of the padlock type. 1

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectionron the line 1'1-11 of Fig. 10, showing the fire screen andA rubber ring type of safety shutter. Fig. l2 is a cross-section on the line 1.2-12 of Fig. l1. i

Fig..13 is a. cross-section on the line 13-13 of Fig. 11.

Figs. 14, 15, 16: show modified types of slots 1980. serial No. 430,153

(ci: 22o-86) Fig. 23 is an enlarged detail cross-section on the line 2'3-23 of Fig. 22. j

Referring to Fig. i, the invention is shown in its most usual form as applied to a gasoline storage tank such as 30, installed under ground. A iilling pipe 32 extends vertically from the tank to the surface, where it terminates in a pit 34 coveredV by .a floor plate 36. Attached to the top of pipe 32 is a iitting 40 which forms an important part of the present invention. A measuring rod such as 42 passes through pipe 32, through fitting 40, and through a lock plate which engages fitting 40. Several types of rods and lock plates are illustrated, but in every case removal of cap 44 gives access to the upper end of the rod. which may then be used for its intended purpose of measuring the amount of oil in the tank. However, it is practically impossible to pour oil into the tank or remove oil therefrom until the lling opening becomes unobstructed by removal of the lock plate by an authorized person who has a key or combination.

In Fig. 1, rod 42 is equipped with a float 46 at its bottom end and rises automatically whenever cap 44 is removed, but in the preferred form no iioat is used and the rod must be raised by the operator.

Reference to Figs. 2, 3 and 4 will give an understanding of the above mentioned devices.

Fitting 40 is threaded at its lower end as at 48 for attachment to pipe 32, and at its upper end as at 50 to receive the threaded cap 44. Above threads 48 and at one side of the opening through the iitting, is a measuring. rod guide block 52, set into the fitting with a dovetail joint A54 and readily interchangeable so that any desired shape of rod may be used. A vertical passage such as 56 permits passage of an appropriate rod shaped to slidably iit the passage. Above block 52 is the lock plate such .as 60. This plate is-bifurcated on one side to accommodate the measuring rod, and the bifurcated ends are each providedwith a projection or tongue 62 adapted to enter groove 64 in the side wall of tting 40.

Lock plate is provided with a key lock 66 having a key slot 68 and a key-operated bolt '70, diametrically opposite tongues 62 and adapted to enter a grove 72 in the Wall of fitting 40 and thereby prevent removal of plate 60 until bolt 72 is Withdrawn by a key. When the bolt is` retracted the lock side of plate 60 may be raised, lugs 62 may be withdrawn from groove 64 and the lock plate may be entirely removed so that the tank may be filled through the large opening through fitting 40.

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Gasket 74 between cap 44 and fitting 40 seals the joint to prevent evaporation. A ledge 76 around fitting 40 above threads 48 is drilled at 78 to receive a hardened steel pin 80 (Fig. 23) which is driven down through hole 78 and groove 82 to lock the threads of fitting 40 andpipe 32 to prevent removal of fitting 40. Ledge 761s also drilled and tapped at 84 for screws used with the padlock type of lock plate to be later described.

The measuring rod 86 shown in Fig. 3 is of T cross section. An advantage of such a shape is that even if the rod be withdrawn it is stillpractically impossible to pour bootleg gasoline through the very restricted slot like opening, or

to remove gasoline therethrough. While pro,V

viding an opening giving great resistance to the passage of liquid, the cross-sectionof the rod is such as to provide adequate stiffness. The upper end of rod 86 is fitted with a ring 88 for ease of handling by the operator. rod 86 are shown in Figs. 5 and 6 in which it will be seen that one flange of the rod is provided with a longitudinal groove 90 in which are placed the depth-indicating graduations, 92, whereby the liquid on the marked surface is not wiped off when the rod is drawn through block 52. Other types of rods having characteristics similar to T-rod 86 are shown in Figs. 14, 15 and 16, being of cross", angle and C types.

Figs. 7 and 8 show an arrangement similar to that already described except that lock plate A60 has been replaced by a lock plate 100 having a combination lock 102 operable by a'knob 104 in connection with a dial 106.

Lock plate 100 is interchangeable with lock plate 60 by simply lifting one plate out of fitting 40 and putting the other one in.

In Figs. 7 and 8 is shown a round type of measuring rod 108 bent over at its top to provide a handle 110. In Figs. 8 and 9 guide block 52 is replaced by a block 112 having a shutter 114 actuated by spring 116 to close the lower end ofthe opening in block 112 whenever rod 108v is withdrawn, thereby rendering it very difficult to pass liquid in either direction through the block when the rod is out. In Figs. 11 and13 is shown an optional form of shutter in the form of a rubber ring 118 set into a guide block 120. Ring 118 surrounds the rod when it is in place and automatically closes the opening when the rod is removed.

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 show still another form ofthe invention in which the lock plate 122 is adapted to be held in place by a padlock or wire seal passed through holes 124 in hollow boss 126 arising from plate 122, and through eye 128 in V the upper. end of bracket 130 attached by screws 132 in holes 84 tapped in ledge 76. A modified which projects sufficiently through slot 136 in Details of lock plate 138 for insertion of a padlock hasp or wire seal 140 through the eye 142 in the bracket.

In Fig. 11 is shown a cup-shaped fire screen 144, shaped at 146 to permit passage of the measuring rod.

Figs. 17 and 18 disclose a modified form of the device in which fitting 40 is replaced by a deeper fitting 150 to better accommodate the nozzle of the filling hose. The upper portion `of fitting 150 is similar to fitting 40. The lower portion is provided with an additional guide block 152 for the measuring rod, and a grating v154 is used to hold the fire screen in place and to prevent the filling nozzle from damaging the screen.

` When a hose nozzle such as 156 is used in filling the tank through fitting 40, it is advisable to apply a bushing such as 160 (Figs. 21 and 22) above fitting 40 in ordei1 to better accommodate the nozzle. v

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited Ato the details herein specifically described, but may'be embodied in other forms without departure from its spirit as defined b the appended claims. f

I claim- 1. In interchangeable tank locks, a fitting formed with a chamber havinga seat at the upper end thereof, a locking plate adapted to be received on said seat and carrying a locking device adapted to engage the fitting below said seat, said locking device being Loperablefrom above lthe plate, and the plateY having a gauge rod aperture therein, the plate being instantly removable from or applied to said seat and held in position by operation of said locking device.

2. In interchangeable tank locks, a fitting formed with a chamber having a seat at the vupper end thereof,y a locking plate adapted to be received on said seat and carrying a locking device adapted to engage the .fitting Vbelow said seat,A said locking device beingy operable from vabove `the plate, and the plate having a` gauge rod aperture therein, a gauge rod insertable into and removable from said plate aperture, the rod 3. In interchangeable tank locks, a fitting.

formed with a chamber having-fa seat at the upper end thereof, af'locking plate adapted to be received on said seat and carrying a locking device adapted to engage the fitting below said seat, said locking device being operable from above the plate, and the plate having a gauge rod aperture therein, a guide block below said aperture and adapted to receive and guide said gauge rod, and an elastic closure member carried by the guide block and adapted to be extended by the rod in its passage into the guideblock.

YASSAD M. MALLUK. 

